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Honda acknowledges possible 2015 CR-V engine vibration

Via a video published April,7 American Honda Motor Company addresses reported intermittent engine vibration noted in 2015 CR-V. Timely!
2015_Honda_CR-V

Torque News received a question Tuesday night from a 2015 CR-V owner. Raj's CR-V vibrated in the driver’s seat and steering wheel at low idle. Was this vibration normal?

American Honda Motor Company released a consumer video Tuesday in response to an acknowledged engine or transmission component vibration reported by owners in (some) 2015 CR-V SUVs equipped with CVT transmission.

According to reporting consumers: The vibration can be intermittent, occurring most frequently at idle or below 2200 rpm while driving. Honda assures CR-V owners that there is no danger of component failure at this time, and that the motor company is actively analyzing the cause and effects of the reported vibration and possible component, product upgrade.

Frankly, spending several hours driving the much improved and upgraded 2015 Honda CR-V, was not enough time for Torque News to pick up on any “excessive” vibration generated through the nations # 1 selling SUV. And, if so noted, we would have most likely written this slight annoyance off as a characteristic of the EarthDreams ™ direct injected engine and CVT transmission.

Readers report to Torque News-Honda that the initial vibration may not be noted immediately, and may be intermittent as reported by Honda.

While Torque News did find the high pressure direct injected 1-VTEC 4 cylinder gasoline engine to have a diesel-like idle rattle, we didn’t note any excessive interior vibration in our test vehicle. We’ve been assured by Honda that direct injected engines have their own unique “sound” at idle.

However, American Honda Motors is exploring the cause and effect of the noted vibration, and will keep consumers informed when and if a source of and subsequent fix for the noted annoyance is found.

In the mean time Honda always recommends that if an excessive vibration of any kind is experienced in your car or light truck, a trip to the dealership is recommended as a safeguard against possible product failure. Honda further states that they appreciate owner feedback, and always welcome your comment.

Honda

Comments

sidhu,cheeku (not verified)    May 7, 2015 - 5:28AM

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Hi,I TOOK TWO CRV EXL FOR ROAD TEST AND THEY BOTH HAVE THE VIBRATION IN THEM AT IDEALING IN DRIVE WHEN STOPED .VIBRATION CAN CAUSE LOOSE NUT BOLTS AND DAMAGAE TO BODY WERE NUT BOLTS ARE TIGHTNED.I HAVE $1000. DOWN TO DELAR TO BUY CRV EX L AS PER DELAR SHIPTHEY HAVE NO COMPLAINTS ABOUT VIBRATION AND THEY WANT ME TO TAKE IT HOME AS THEY ARE GIVING FREE TO ME.

sidhu cheeku (not verified)    May 7, 2015 - 5:06PM

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Delear sale person pushed me to buy CRV EX-L with vibration....by saying this will go for PDI everything will be fixed just sign here and there....nice joke.....I just said sorry find another one asap.....I don"t want to buy with issues or problem now waiting for Friday again to test drive one.

danny (not verified)    May 8, 2015 - 7:09PM

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We drove 5 CRV. All 5 vibrated!! 5 different dealers. We really wanted to get however cannot pay 27000 for something that will shake apart!! Honda really needs to fix this issue!!! Our experience is they all have this problem!! Been waiting since January, I guess we will see about the 16!! Otherwise I have drove the Subaru and guess what No vibration!!!

Parks McCants    May 14, 2015 - 1:33AM

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Welcome Danny. Please share with our readers what region you live in. Thanks. As you may know Honda is working on a solution to what we consider to be a very minor issue. i don't anticipate any CR-V "shaking apart." Thanks for dropping by.

Malvilyn Clark (not verified)    May 16, 2015 - 12:49PM

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Honda is supposed to fix these problems before they're available for sale. Who wants a junk car to pay for. Refund my money if you can't fix the problems you've developed. Junk.

Parks McCants    May 17, 2015 - 6:30PM

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Welcome Malvilyn. You know, here's the thing: Honda says that the noted(slight) vibration is not detrimental to the vehicle systems in any way. We agree. However, we've ordered an extended ride review of CR-V and will report our unbiased results A.S.A.P. Take car. Hey,you may wish to test drive a 2015, or 2016 CR-V for your own assessment. we find the vibration to be nominal. Take care, and thanks for your courteous comment.

Mario (not verified)    May 19, 2015 - 11:01AM

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First the issues with pre 2015 models....engine startup rattle with the VTC actuator *** which has not been resolved yet....and now this???? Honda is on a very slippery slope.

Andrew (not verified)    August 31, 2015 - 2:33PM

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Yep... I have a 2012 EX-L w/Nav with the VCT Actuator problem... It also rattles/clacks at certain RPM's if the A/C is on. Only occasionally will it do it at startup for me.

Guy Lancey (not verified)    May 28, 2015 - 3:52PM

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The problem is the low RPM at stop. Comes down to ~600. Turn on the headlights. The alternator will increase rpm to ~750-800, which eliminates most of the vibrations.

Heather (not verified)    May 14, 2016 - 3:04AM

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I spend 5 hours plus per week sitting in my 2015 CR-V EX with my foot on the break, in drive, with the lights on. My car still vibrates so badly I wish I had never traded my 2001 Accord EX. The only way I can get the vibration to stop while I'm sitting in traffic is to put the car in Park. But this seems too inconvenient and dangerous in stop and go traffic on the freeways.

BillS (not verified)    May 29, 2015 - 12:28PM

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I also have a 2015 CR-V which doubles as a massage chair at stoplights. I'm really surprised Honda didn't weed out this problem prior to the release.

But to me, a good company that cares about it's customers will take ownership, and develop a fix for current cars, not just for ones being produced going forward. I was very disappointed in the message in the video which essentially calls it a "characteristic" of the car, instead of what is clearly an engineering problem that needs a TSB fix developed. But at least it is acknowledged by Honda.

Mario (not verified)    May 29, 2015 - 12:47PM

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BillS,

As long as Honda finds it NOT to be a safety issue....your screwed. My 2013 CRV Touring's VTC Actuator issue is still ongoing with no fix in sight. Acknowledging it is one thing...but doing about it is another.

sandra (not verified)    May 29, 2015 - 5:31PM

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Wow, I'm surprised the dealerships are still selling these cars, even after knowing the problem drivers are having! I almost bought one but then read about the vibrations. The sales guy was pretty coy about it and only when I mentioned it, did he say anything. Underplaying it of course. I used to love Honda, but what a disappointment that they're not stepping up to the plate and acknowledging the problem!!! Talk about lack of integrity!! Think I'll scope out Toyota Rav4 or Highlander.

Parks McCants    May 29, 2015 - 7:12PM

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Good day Sandra. The report of "vibration" is not a universal occurrence, nor does it in the qualified opinion of Honda engineering present any future or present frame or component damage implications. On personally speaking with corporate on Thursday, I've been assured that they are working on a remedy that will satisfy all consumer perception as to the cause and effect of said vibration. It may be noted that the same engine and transmission application installed in other Honda models does not result in a "harmonic" vibration.' The direct injected Earth Dreams engine is the cleanest(gasoline) burning, fuel efficient 4 cylinder in the automotive industry today. However, the new engine and CVT transmission technology does come wit a handful of characteristics unique unto itself. CR-V remains the best selling compact SUV in the segment. I've driven Rav4 and Highlander, both good vehicles, just not quite as refined-in-ride and comfort as CR-V. Next week Honda will provide Torque News with a week-long drive review of CR-V. In this revisit, we'll take a close scrutinizing look at Honda's best selling crossover, SUV. Thanks for your thought provoking comment. Take care...

Dean Murphy (not verified)    July 10, 2015 - 12:00PM

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Parks: Apparently only Honda engineers find nothing wrong with its product. Takata engineers find nothing wrong with its exploding airbags. I'm not an engineer but know that frequent engine vibrations are more likely to shake loose attachments to the frame and compromise structural integrity. Honda will never hire an unbiased engineer to evaluate how this vibration problem will affect CRVs in the future, any more that Takata could accurately predict what would happen to its airbags in the future. Thus, you should not make predictions that these vibrations will not affect motor mountings in the future. Your denials and glossing over complaints of purchasers has caused me not to purchase a CRV at Coggin dealership in Orlando.

Parks McCants    July 10, 2015 - 2:56PM

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Good day Dean.My commentary as to any possibility of future component damage caused by vibration, is the written relay of a direct quote from American Honda Motors. You may also note that I've personally logged no less than 1,000 miles behind the wheel of 2015 Honda CR-V. And, that my daughter in law drives a 2015 Honda CR-V AWD on a daily basis. My commentary is a very qualified personal opinion. As to yours, your entitled to it! Hey, drive CR-V.. If it works for you, purchase it.

Best of luck Dean in your search. I'm confident that you'll land in that ever elusive "Perfect car."

BillS (not verified)    May 30, 2015 - 9:08AM

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it doesn't matter if the vibration "presents any future or present frame or component damage" - it is annoying, and will diminish your enjoyment of the car. Saying other vehicles aren't "quite as refined in-ride and comfort as the CR-V" while honda has already acknowledged a vibration issue to the point where they've had to put up a video to reassure the public about safety issues is ridiculous.

Suggest anyone currently cross shopping - take a look at the Mazda CX-5.

Parks McCants    May 30, 2015 - 12:35PM

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Good morning BillS. My comments and views are based on my drive experience of the 2015 Honda CR-V in all trim variants. You'll note that few to no professional drive reviews have noted the vibration. (We) didn't experience the vibration in several test vehicles driven. "Ridiculouse" as the comment may read to you, that's my qualified response with the backing of Honda engineering.Enjoy your Mazda CX-5.

Al (not verified)    May 31, 2015 - 9:06AM

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Really admire honda, and have been buying from them for 15 years. All good cars especially the 2003 crv we traded in for 2015 crv.
Very disappointed with the vibration in idle when stopped and in drive. Its not as bad when lights and ac are on, as this raises the rpm from about 600 to 750.
If i knew about thus problem, i would have not bought this 2015. It is really a huge defect and its bothersome. We miss our 2003. Its unbelievable to me they released the car with this kind of vibration.

I usually stay away from first year models, but given that the accord has the same engine and trans for a couple if years, i thought this was proven out powertrain.

MAke sure when you test drive, you take it for a long drive. Take the ac off and lights off.
I have been talking to Honda and they say they are working on a fix. For some reason it doesn't seem to be their priority.

If it wasnt for the vibration, this would have been the best car. But because of it its our worst new car experience. I want to trade it in but i would lose lots of money. Our other car which is a 2013 ford fusion with 40k has been smooth fun to drive and ofcourse does not vibrate....

Just venting here, but more than anything i want to let others know about this issue.

danny (not verified)    May 31, 2015 - 8:15PM

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We finally gave up on the honda 2015 crv. We are the proud owners of a Subaru outback 2015. 33 miles to the gallon and no vibration!! Car drives and handles fabulous.